Carolina Hurricanes forward Eric Staal is taking a leave of absence following the death of his sister-in-law, the team said Wednesday. The Hurricanes did not say when Staal, who is tied for the team lead in scoring with 27 points, would return to the lineup. Staal's sister-in-law passed away on Tuesday after a long battle against cancer.
The Hurricanes, bottom of the Eastern Conference and 16 points out of the final playoff spot, play on Thursday at Nashville before returning home to face Colorado Friday.
